Jets’ D-line in a sacking 30-27 win over the Pats

Nick Folk kicked a 42-yard game-winner, giving the Jets a 30-27 win over the Patriots.
Photo by Bill Moore

Snacks, snacks, snacks and more snacks.

That was the recurring theme coming from the Jets locker room in the moments following their 30-27 overtime win over the Patriots on Sunday.

That word happens to be the nickname of Jets defensive lineman Damon Harrison, who had his first sack of the season. But it wasn’t about one person on the Jets’ front seven. It was about everyone on the Jets’ front seven.

The group seems to get tighter and tighter every week. They all support and believe in each other. That was clearly evident in the second half of Sunday’s win as the group harassed Tom Brady, who had arguably his worst game of the season. Four members of the Jets’ front seven, including Harrison, had a sack. Making the performance and the numbers even more impressive was that the group did most of its damage in the second half, after the Jets fell behind 21-10.

“We caught rhythm … And Snacks, we got him [a sack],” said rookie defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, who had five tackles. “We just got after it. We were hungry. We were relentless. We didn’t want to leave this game without a win.”

Muhammad Wilkerson played big with five tackles and a sack. He credited the group’s togetherness and work ethic. “We always believe in each other,” said Wilkerson. “We can be as great as we want to be. We have to put in the effort and the work every day.”

The Jets’ defensive line will be tested over the next several weeks, starting with this Sunday’s game in Cincinnati and followed by a home game against the Saints on Nov. 3. The Jets are convinced they will be ready.

“Everybody’s just motivated, especially the defensive line after having a down year last year,” said Harrison. “We weren’t very good against the run and didn’t have many sacks last year.”